Reminder: License Renewal Frequently Asked Questions Page

Do you have questions about the license renewal process? If so, the Commission has published a new License Renewal FAQ page on its website! This page is designed to provide you with clear guidance on how to renew your license and answer some of your most frequently asked questions.  

Whether you are an affiliated broker, broker-in-charge, or qualifying broker managing a firm, these FAQs are here to ensure your license remains current and not expired. 

Key Information You’ll Find: 

1. When to Renew: Mark your calendars! The renewal period starts at midnight on May 15 and ends at 11:59pm on June 30 annually. 

2. How to Renew: Simply visit our homepage at www.ncrec.gov and follow the prompts: 

• Licensee Login: For individual broker license renewal. 

• Firm Login: For firm license renewal. 

• LNCL Login: For LNCL license renewal. 

3. Continuing Education: You can renew your license even if your CE courses haven’t been completed by June 10. Remember, your license must be renewed by June 30 to avoid having an expired license on July 1. 

4. Renewal Fee: The renewal fee is $45.00 and can be paid securely online via Visa, MasterCard, Discover, American Express, or PayPal. 

5. Confirmation: Receive a printable confirmation upon completion of your renewal process. 

6. Payment Methods: Online renewal is mandatory. We do not accept checks, cash, or credit card payments over the phone or in person at our office. 

7. Digital Pocket Card: Download your new digital pocket card immediately after renewal. You may also print it for your convenience. 

8. Expiration Consequences: If you miss the June 30 deadline, your license will be expired on July 1.  In order to reinstate your license, you must visit our “Reinstate your License” page for reinstatement procedures. 

9. BIC Eligible Status: Failure to renew your license on time will terminate your BIC Eligible status. Brokers must ensure they renew prior to June 30^th to maintain their BIC Eligible status.  

10. Need Help? Contact our License Specialists at ls@ncrec.gov for any renewal inquiries. We’re here to assist you! 

Video Link: https://youtu.be/6hFeaDjsRio

Question Corner

Question: I would like to terminate my affiliation with the BIC of my brokerage. Which form do I need to submit to the Commission?

Answer: If a broker wishes to terminate their affiliation with a firm or sole proprietorship, they must submit the Request to Terminate Your Affiliation with a Firm or Sole Proprietorship, Form 2.22. The Commission will process the form within 3-5 business days and brokers will be emailed a Notice of License Record Change acknowledging the requested change. If brokers do not receive a Notice within 30 days, they will need to contact the Commission and inquire about the status of their form submission.  

Question: What happens if a BIC submits a Request to Terminate Your Affiliation with a Firm or Sole Proprietorship, Form 2.22?

Answer: Before a BIC submits a Request to Terminate Your Affiliation with a Firm or Sole Proprietorship, Form 2.22, they should consider that the submission will affect all licensees currently under their supervision at the office. Provisional brokers will be placed on inactive status and “full” brokers will remain on active status at their home addresses but will no longer be affiliated with the firm or sole proprietorship.  

To prevent this, the new BIC should submit a new properly completed Request for BIC Eligible Status and/or Broker-in-Charge Designation (REC 2.25) PRIOR to the outgoing BIC submitting the Request to Terminate Your Affiliation with a Firm or Sole Proprietorship, Form 2.22.  

Brokers are confusing two forms: the Request to Terminate Your Affiliation with a Firm or Sole Proprietorship (Form 2.22) and the Request to Remove Licensee From Broker Supervision (Form 2.13). Form 2.22 is used by an individual broker to terminate their own affiliation with a firm or sole proprietorship and Form 2.13 is used by a BIC to remove a full or provisional broker from being affiliated with that BIC.  

NOTE: It is imperative for brokers to understand that prior to submitting a form, they are certifying the accuracy of the information. Therefore, the Commission may use the submission of inaccurate information as evidence against a broker in a disciplinary action.

Quick Tips

If you do not see a CE course completion on your own CE record when you log in as yourself within 7 business days of course completion, call your school and tell them to report it to the NCREC immediately.

T. Royals, Senior License Specialist

Did you know that the Real Estate Licensing in North Carolina (RELINC) booklet is required reading for new Broker applicants? Find it under Licensing/Applicants”

A. Allison, License Specialist

When creating an account within the NCREC Training Portal, please remember to remove NA before entering your license number. Don’t forget to enter your license number.

A. Conyers, Logistics and Program Manager

Please remember to renew both your Broker’s License and Firm’s License if you have one and there are separate Links.

S. Debnam, License Specialist

Reminder: Have you taken your CE for 2024-2025?

Link: https://youtu.be/QG1ppyOzz5Q

Reminder: Form Submission

I accidentally submitted a form to the Commission with inaccurate information. What do I need to do? 

Brokers who accidentally submit inaccurate/erroneous information should promptly try to correct the mistake.  

• Complete a new form and review the accuracy of the information in the form prior to submission. Do not use “autofill” in the form. 

• Do not email the wrong form back to the Commission. 

In general, you cannot stop the automatic processing of the form with erroneous information. The better option is to correct it with the new, accurate form.  

NOTE: Each form that is submitted to the Commission is processed separately by Commission staff. Further, the Commission expects brokers to submit the correct form related to the type of change they are requesting for their license record. At the beginning of each form, the Commission has provided a brief description of the form and the requirements for completion. It is essential that brokers read the forms thoroughly to ensure that they are affiliating or terminating with the correct brokerage, and/or designating themselves as BIC of appropriate entities while not affecting the affiliations of other brokers.

Reminder: Instructor Submission of Equivalent Credit

Have you taught the Update Course for 2024-2025? Have you developed an approved CE course or taught an approved CE course for the first time this license year? Have you submitted the Request for Continuing Education Equivalent Credit Form (7.13)?  

If not, and you want to receive equivalent credit, then you must submit the Request for Continuing Education Equivalent Credit Form (7.13) prior to June 17, 2025. Additionally, you must submit this form for the Update Course that you taught which coincides with your license status. 

If you have additional questions, please email educ@ncrec.gov. 

Video Link: https://youtu.be/ZTDDhnzORCU

Reminder: Renew Your Instructor Approval

Have you completed your six hours of instructor development credit? 

Commission-approved instructors must complete six hours of real estate instructor educational programs each license year before renewing their instructor approval. The Guidelines for Instructional Educational Requirement (Form REC 3.78) detail the rule requirements, outline available education options, and offer links to these resources. It is advised to submit renewal applications for instructor approval well in advance of June 30th to ensure prompt processing. For further inquiries, please consult the Commission’s website.  

How To: License Renewal

We will review how to log in to your licensee record, read your continuing education record, and renew your North Carolina Real Estate license. To start the process, visit our website: ncrec.gov. On our website, click on the ‘Login’ button at the top right-hand corner of the homepage. Click on the dropdown and click on ‘Licensee.’ 

Now you are on the licensee login page. Log in to your North Carolina Real Estate Commission licensee account. You can log in with your license number and the last four digits of your social security number for your password, unless you have changed it to something else. Click ‘Login.’ 

Once you are logged in to your licensee account, you will see a menu of options. You can explore each page further. But today, we will first view the ‘CE license information’ tab. 

This page will show you the continuing education (CE) courses you’ve taken and if you have satisfied the CE credit requirement for the 2024-2025 license year. This is represented by the number four following the update course and elective statement. In order to renew your license on active status, you must complete eight hours of continuing education during each July 1 to June 10 license period, including the appropriate “Update” course and an elective. 

Once you’ve checked whether you have satisfied the CE requirements, go back to the licensee menu and click on ‘Renew Your License’. You can click and renew even if you haven’t met all the CE requirements yet.  

On the renewal page, proceed through the sections by clicking on the ‘Next’ key. 

You will need to verify that all your contact information is up to date. You will also need to provide the Employee Misclassification Disclosure and Certification. 

Click ‘Next’ to pay the $45.00 license renewal fee by VISA, Mastercard, AmEx, Discover, or PayPal. A printable confirmation of renewal will appear on your screen when the process is completed. If your renewal fee has not been received by the Commission by June 30, your license will EXPIRE. 

Are you an Education Provider looking for information on how to renew your EP Certification? Read this eBulletin article: Education Provider Certification Renewal Process: Step-by-Step 

Are you a Qualifying Broker looking for information on how to renew your firm license?  As the Qualifying Broker (QB) for your firm, it’s crucial to renew the firm’s real estate broker license annually between May 15^th-June 30th. According to Commission Rule 58A .0502(g)(2), the QB is responsible for this renewal. 

Failure to renew the firm’s license by the deadline results in significant administrative changes: 

• Brokers Associated with the Firm (not on provisional status): Their records will be updated to reflect their home addresses, effectively removing their association with the firm. 

• Provisional Brokers: They will be placed on inactive status, restricting their ability to engage in brokerage activities. 

These changes can disrupt your firm’s operations and the professional activities of your affiliated brokers. To avoid these complications, please ensure timely renewal of the firm’s license each year. 

THINK BEFORE YOU ACT

The Commission frequently sees complaints on the same issues. Here’s guidance on how to avoid some of what is most commonly reported: 

1. Lockbox Codes: DON’T share lockbox code with clients or unauthorized individuals. Granting access to a property without your presence is a violation. Obey your client, but not if it means breaking rules or laws. Do not share the code to a lockbox even if you are running late and plan to be there soon, if the property is presumed to be vacant, or even if the property is under contract and expected to close and the buyer wants one more look. Reschedule, have the client wait, or send another licensed broker. 

2. Limited-Service Agreements: Limited service agreements do not excuse you from your duties as a licensee. You must still discover and disclose material facts, ensure accurate advertising, and review the RPOADS with the seller for accuracy. 

3. FSBO (Broker Edition): 

• Selling Your Own Property: You can select “No Representation” in the RPOADS, however, if you have actual knowledge or should know of a material fact, as a licensed broker you still have a duty to disclose. NCGS § 93A-6(b)(3) authorizes the Commission to discipline a broker for violations of license law and Commission rules when transactions involve your personally owned property. 

• Limited-Service Listings & Your Own Property: You are a broker and you list your property with a limited services broker. Fine. However, your limited-service agreement doesn’t shield you from your duties as a broker to discover and disclose. As a licensed owner, you should inform your limited-service listing agent and must disclose to potential buyers any material facts about which you know or should reasonably know. 

• Buying to repair/renovate and sell (Flipping): Disclose everything, including occupancy certificates, permits, and unlicensed contractor use. Make sure you are following laws and local rules involving permitting. Check behind your contractors, ensuring permits are filed and obtained. Make sure you have a certificate of compliance and/or certificate of occupancy. Keep your records of repair and remodeling. 

• Unrepresented Buyers: Make it clear to the buyer if you are working with them in some way but do not represent them. Be careful of what advice, if any, you give to unrepresented buyers about your own listing. 

4. Inspection Reports: 

• Disclosure: You do not have to provide copies of inspection reports, but you MUST disclose material facts within them. 

• Review: Thoroughly review reports with your client and provide advice based on the findings. Confirm whether information from the report differs from advertising. For example, does the report mention a septic system but it’s listed as being on city sewer? Seek help understanding reports if needed from more experienced brokers or relevant licensed professionals. 

5. Fraudulent Listings: Be vigilant for red flags with no-meet sellers. DO NOT skip verification. 

• Cases of scam sellers are on the rise. 

• Email addresses with matching names are insufficient. 

• Questionable driver’s license photocopies are red flags. 

• Attorney verification after contract formation is too late. Your duty to verify starts before signing an agency agreement. 

• What can you do? 

1. Have a video conference or in-person meeting (accept no excuses). 

2. Ask for a government issued ID and review it to make sure it isn’t questionable. 

3. Pull the deed(s) and match the names.  

4. Ask neighbors about the property/owner. 

5. Do social media research. 

6. Have the “seller” provide a notarized statement identifying themselves as owner. 

7. Take notice and address the red flags! 

• Review these Bulletins from 2022 and 2023, for red flags and more information. 

If you take reasonable steps, you are unlikely to be disciplined if a complaint is filed. Don’t assume this won’t happen to you. This scam is increasingly popular, and many North Carolina brokers have already encountered it.  

6. Buying Own Listing: If you are the owner’s listing agent and you want to buy their property yourself, you have a conflict of interest. Disclose the conflict of interest in writing to the seller and advise them to seek independent counsel. Terminate the listing or transfer it before you or your firm makes an offer. Inform the seller of their right to terminate. 

7. Working with Real Estate Agents Disclosure: Simply emailing the form is insufficient. Review it with your client or customer, and document that review in the email. Having a conversation about the Disclosure is necessary. The Disclosure is not just another form to get signed when the client signs the agency agreement or contract.  Practice using the Disclosure so you are comfortable presenting it. 

In conclusion: The solutions to avoiding these common complaints are straightforward and require reasonable effort. When in doubt, ask your broker-in-charge, ask a more experienced broker, ask a relevant licensed professional, or contact the Commission for guidance (although they cannot give legal advice, Commission staff can give guidance on rules and possibly other resources). Protect your clients and your license – think before you act.

North Carolina Department of Labor: Human Trafficking Courses

In 2023, North Carolina ranked 10^th in the country for the number of cases reported to the National Human Trafficking Hotline.  In an ongoing effort to combat human trafficking across the state, House Bill 973 was passed in 2024, and requires property managers of vacation rentals, their employees, and third-party contractors who perform housekeeping services, food or beverage services on-site, or perform check-in and check-out duties to take human trafficking awareness training.   

The North Carolina Department of Labor (NCDOL) has identified training courses that satisfy the requirement here. For vacation rentals offered for lease prior to July 1, 2025, the training must be completed by June 30, 2027, and be repeated every two years.  For vacation rentals offered for lease after July 1, 2025, the training must be completed within 60 days of providing services and repeated every two years.  For those who fail to meet the mandatory training requirement, the NCDOL may assess a fine up to $2,000 for each violation.  For more information on House Bill 973, see the Commission’s September 2024 eBulletin article on this topic.